Chrysanthemum plant named Paloma

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Paloma particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; clear white ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 9 cm at maturity; uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; peduncle length ranging from 10 to 20 cm on open, terminal sprays; medium plant height when grown as a single stem spray cut mum; and excellent tolerance to low temperatures for bud initiation and flower development.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, andreferred to by the cultivar name Paloma.

Paloma, identified as 85-263002, was originated from a cross made byCornelis P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program in Salinas,Calif., in 1984.

The female parent of Paloma was an unnamed seedling identified as81-614001, a cut spray mum with white ray floret color, decorativecapitulum type, nine week photoperiodic flowering response to shortdays, and medium height. The male parent of Paloma was an unnamedseedling, identified as 82-J38047, a cut spray mum having white rayfloret color, decorative duplex capitulum type, eight week photoperiodicflowering response to short days, and medium plant height.

Paloma was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in March, 1986, ina controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Paloma was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in May, 1986in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians workingunder formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successiveplantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Paloma are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Paloma has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Salinas, Calif., under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial greenhouse practice. The lowtemperature tolerance was determined in repeated flowerings in Bogota,Colombia.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Paloma, which, in combination, distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Decorative capitulum type.

3. White ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 9 cm at maturity.

5. Uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days.

6. Peduncle length ranging from 10 to 20 cm on open terminal sprays.

7. Medium plant height, requiring two long day weeks prior to short daysto attain a flowered plant height of 90 to 100 cm for year-roundflowerings.

8. Excellent tolerance to low temperatures for bud initiation and flowerdevelopment.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andleaf characteristics of Paloma, with the colors being as nearly true aspossible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a color photographof Paloma grown as a single stem cut spray mum. Sheet 2 is a black andwhite photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Paloma. Sheet 3is a black and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of theleaves of Paloma at three stages of development (mature, intermediateand immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Paloma is the unpatented cultivar identified as Polaris.Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certaincharacteristics of Paloma to the same characteristics of Polaris.

Similar traits are capitulum form and type, spray formation, pedunclelength, plant height and low temperature tolerance. Paloma has a clearwhite flower color compared to a creamy white flower color of Polaris.Paloma also has a slightly larger flower, and a faster floweringresponse by three to four days than Polaris.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart. The clear white ray floret color ofPaloma is not represented in the RHS color chart. The color values weredetermined on plant material grown in Salinas, Calif. on Apr. 26, 1989.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora cv Paloma.

Commercial.--Decorative cut spray mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Diameter across face.--Up to 9 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Clear white.

Color (upper surface).--Clear white.

Color (under surface).--Clear white.

Shape.--Straight, cross-section flat, apex concave.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Closest to 14A.

Color (immature).--Closest to 145B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; very few disc florets, barelyvisible in the mature flower; scant pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Medium; 90 to 100 cm as a single stem cut mum with two long dayweeks prior to short days.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Lobed, slightly serrated.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        COMPARISON OF PALOMA AND POLARIS                                                            PALOMA     POLARIS                                              ______________________________________                                        Ray Floret Color                                                                              Clear white  Creamy white                                     Capitulum Form and Type                                                                       Flat decorative                                                                            Flat decorative                                  Spray formation Terminal     Terminal                                         Peduncle length 10 to 20 cm  10 to 20 cm                                      Diameter Across Face                                                                          Up to 9 cm   Up to 8 cm                                       of Capitulum                                                                  Plant Height    Medium       Medium                                           Flowering response period                                                                     8 weeks      9 weeks                                          Low temperature tolerance                                                                     Excellent    Excellent                                        Comparisons Made of Plants Grown                                              As Single Stem Spray Cut Mums                                                 In Salinas, California                                                        ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Paloma, asdescribed and illustrated.